Guide
Disposable phone number: how burner numbers work online
A disposable phone number is a number you hand out instead of your own and drop when you no longer need it. People also call it a burner number, a throwaway number or a second number. Today you don't need a prepaid SIM for that, because you can rent one online and read your texts in a browser.
Burner SIM versus an online number
- A prepaid burner SIM needs a spare phone, a shop visit and often an ID check
- An online disposable number is ready in seconds and works on the phone or laptop you already have
- With an online number you pay only for the hours you use, with nothing to cancel afterwards
Good reasons to use a disposable number
- Keeping your real number out of public listings and classifieds
- Booking a table, a ride or a delivery without joining yet another marketing list
- Meeting new people from apps or groups before you are ready to share your own number
- Getting a local number while travelling for a few days
- Testing text messages in software you build
How to get one with GimmeSMS
- Create an account with Google or email and add credit with a card
- Choose a country and how many hours you need, from 1 to 48
- Use the number right away, and watch texts arrive in your private inbox
- Extend it if you need more time, or simply let it expire
Limits worth knowing
GimmeSMS numbers receive texts only, they can't send messages or take calls. Numbers are reused after a cooldown, so a disposable number is the wrong choice for your bank, your email or anything you will need to recover later.
Try GimmeSMS
Rent a real number for $2.20 an hour, from 1 to 48 hours, and read your texts live in your browser. Available now in United States, Canada, Netherlands.